Questions to ask when buying a used truck.

workaholic48 · Apr 21, 2012

Hello! Haven't posted recently but still reading the EO Forums. As we have had an early spring here, I have been busy with lawns and grass cutting. School will be done in a little more than a month or so, and most of the school bus driving will stop for the summer, but the fast food job I can pick up some more hours. I've read and re-read the "Questions to ask a carrier" post, but I'd like some info on buying a used truck. What I've seen on theses forums is that the dealers are much higher priced than a private seller, and it seems that dealers, for the most part, cut corners when it comes to honesty. Just the impression I get. So if you buy from a private owner, what are some questions you should ask? When I do buy, the money that I will use is money that was worked very hard to earn, with my 3 PT jobs, and I don't want to be sitting with a truck that breaks down and is always in need of repairs, and realize that I have waisted 25-30K. Would appreciate your answers to help me get a handle on this. This would be a big leap of faith, and like anyone else, I don't want to lose my savings.

Thanks in advance

Workaholic48

BigCat · Apr 21, 2012

Like a car, always ask for maint reports on the truck for one thing. Ask for a recent dyno report. If a motor is wearing out a loss of hp is a good sign. Those are just a few things i would ask for.

Lawrence · Apr 21, 2012

workaholic48 said:
What I've seen on theses forums is that the dealers are much higher priced than a private seller, and it seems that dealers, for the most part, cut corners when it comes to honesty. Just the impression I get.
Workaholic48

There have been dealers in the past that had a reputation of cutting corners in honesty, the positive thing about the Great Recession is that it put companies like that out of business.

The dealers you will find on this site are by far the best in the industry as far as quality, service and honesty.

Good luck!

davekc · Apr 22, 2012

Some good advice. I am a skeptic on anything used. Get or hire a experienced mechanic to go over the vehicle. ECM dump, blow by test, and maintenance records are going to get you close to where the vehicle is at. If at a dealer there is likely no records provided. Take the vin number and have the dealer pull it up for its dealer history. Same with the engine serial number. Some repairs are completed by the engine manufacturer rather than the dealer.
If a dealer refuses these simple procedures, there is likely a reason.

x06col · Apr 22, 2012

workaholic48 said:
Hello! Haven't posted recently but still reading the EO Forums. As we have had an early spring here, I have been busy with lawns and grass cutting. School will be done in a little more than a month or so, and most of the school bus driving will stop for the summer, but the fast food job I can pick up some more hours. I've read and re-read the "Questions to ask a carrier" post, but I'd like some info on buying a used truck. What I've seen on theses forums is that the dealers are much higher priced than a private seller, and it seems that dealers, for the most part, cut corners when it comes to honesty. Just the impression I get. So if you buy from a private owner, what are some questions you should ask? When I do buy, the money that I will use is money that was worked very hard to earn, with my 3 PT jobs, and I don't want to be sitting with a truck that breaks down and is always in need of repairs, and realize that I have waisted 25-30K. Would appreciate your answers to help me get a handle on this. This would be a big leap of faith, and like anyone else, I don't want to lose my savings.

Thanks in advance

Workaholic48

I could only suggest to wear ear protection from the sales personnel when entering the lot and place your eyes and fingers on the subject equipment.